Richard S. Gondek, 67, of Fort Wayne, died at 8:35 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, at Greystone Health & Rehab. He was born Nov. 21, 1947, in Columbia City, Indiana a son of Frank Stanley and Edna (Wedler) Gondek. His formative years were spent on a farm in Columbia Township and he enjoyed his participation …read more.

Kenneth Eugene Keener, 97, of Columbia City,passed away at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at Miller’s Merry Manor Inc., Columbia City. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City,

Linda Kaufman-Golden, 55, of Columbia City, formerly of Leesburg, passed away at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City. Arrangements are pending at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse.

Gordon J. “Ski” Wierschke, 76, Columbia City, passed away at 6:09 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, at Parkview Whitley Hospital in Columbia City. Mr. Wierschke was born on Sept. 16, 1939, in Polar, Wis., a son of John and Addie (Ledingham) Wierschke. He spent his formative years in Polar, Wis. Following high school he served …read more.

Carol A. (Gordon) Smith, 69, of Columbia City, passed away at 12:27 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Parkview Whitley Hospital. Born Nov. 4, 1946, in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Leonard and Florence (Collar) Gordon. She graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1966. After graduating, she took …read more.

Barbara Jean Moore-Caskey, 70, Columbia City, passed away at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Miller’s at Oak Pointe, Columbia City. Born March 11, 1945, in Smithers, W.Va., she was the daughter of Grover C. and Imogene J. (Myers) Crowder. She lived in West Virginia for ten years and then in Ligonier for 35 …read more.

Richard S. Gondek, 67, Fort Wayne, died at 8:35 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, at Greystone Health & Rehab. He was born Nov. 21, 1947, in Columbia City, a son of Frank Stanley and Edna (Wedler) Gondek. His formative years were spent on a farm in Columbia Township and he enjoyed his participation in 4-H. …read more.

Carol Smith, Columbia City, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Barbara Jean Moore-Caskey, 70, Columbia City, passed away at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Miller’s at Oak Pointe, Columbia City. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home.

Jason Alan Christman, 38, Columbia City, passed away at 9:12 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015, at his home. Born Sept. 25, 1977, in Columbia City, he was the son of Gene Christman and Peggy Salesman. Jason was a lifelong resident of Columbia City. As a boy he enjoyed playing basketball and football, being outdoors and …read more.

Roberta Henney, 58, Indianapolis, passed away at 1:09 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehab of Castleton, Indianapolis. Born Feb. 20, 1957, in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Lawrence D. “Shorty” and Shirla J. (Anderson) Henney. She is survived by her mother: Shirla Henney, Columbia City; brothers: Meredith (Cheryl); …read more.

Mary Ann Ramsey, 98, Columbia City, passed away at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 at her residence. Born on Nov. 14, 1916, in Pomeroy, Ohio, she was the daughter of Francis and Anna (Wiseman) Neutzling. Mary moved to Ferndale, Mich., near Detroit, at an early age. She was a homemaker and resident for over …read more.

Larry Arnold, 78, South Whitley, passed away peacefully with family at his side at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, after a few months of battling cancer. He was born on Nov. 10, 1936, at home in South Whitley, the son of George Esta and Opal (Lancaster) Arnold. Larry spent …read more.

All who knew Timothy Johnston, Sr. would agree that he brought the world around him to life. He was willing to work hard, but he liked to play hard, too, and he was the sort of person who was usually willing to try anything once. Tim loved working on cars, but it was being with …read more.

James Robert Clark, 81, of Columbia City passed away unexpectedly at 10:52 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne where he had been taken earlier in the day. He was born on July 24, 1934, in Whitley County the son of James S. and Alice H. (McLaughlin) Clark. Bob was raised on …read more.

Madelyn Garard, 83, formerly of Columbia City, died at 6:37 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, at Brookdale Senior Living Solutions, Fort Wayne. She was born Sept. 3, 1932, in Prestonsburg, Ky., a daughter of the late Kernie and Grace (Hopkins) Barnett. At the age of two the family moved to Akron. In 1945 they moved …read more.

Jimmie “Jim” George Warner, 90, of Columbia City, passed from this life in comfort and peace on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 with his family by his side. He was born on June 9, 1925 in the home of his grandmother in Kosciusko County to Delbert R. and Jessie (Reed) Warner. Jim attended Sidney High School …read more.

Timothy Johnston Sr., 60, passed away at 2:57 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 at IU Health Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Mary Ann Ramsey, 98, Columbia City, passed away at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Jason Alan Christman, age 38, Columbia City, passed away at 9:12 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 at his home.  Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Mary Jeanne Cornmesser, 88, passed away peacefully at 10:30 a.m. at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne after a brief illness. She was born on July 3, 1927, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Charles D. and Elsie (Kaltenbach) Wheeler. Mary spent her childhood in Waterloo and graduated from East High School, Waterloo with …read more.

All who knew Emma Chamberlain would agree that there was truly no one like her. She was gracious and kindhearted, genuine and generous beyond measure. Emma was a loving, devoted, and purposeful wife and mother who viewed these roles to be both her highest calling and her richest blessing. When grandchildren came along, she was …read more.

Mary J. Cornmesser, 88, of Columbia City, passed away at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City.

James R. Clark, Columbia City, passed away at 10:52 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Betty Jean Kaiser, 79, a resident of Warren and wife of Rev. William W. Kaiser, passed away at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne with her family by her side. Betty was born on Sept. 2, 1936, in Mishawaka, a daughter of Clyde and Gladys (Hamilton) Perkey. …read more.

David Scott White, 46, South Whitley, died unexpectedly at his home Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, of natural causes. He was born Jan. 27, 1969, in Alexandria, a son of David Gates and Edna D. Boone. His formative years were spent in Alexandra. He graduated from Alexandria – Monroe High School with the class of 1988. …read more.

Raymond A. “Bud” Loe, 93, South Whitley, died at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne where he was admitted on Monday. He was born March 11, 1922, in Columbia City, a son of the late Wilber R. and Viola (Hartman) Loe. He spent his formative years in Whitley …read more.

Kelly Scott Coe, 45, South Whitley, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015. He was born Feb. 24, 1970, at home in Green Center, a son of Duane A. and Shirley A. (Iden) Coe. In 1972 the family moved to Columbia City. He graduated from Columbia City Joint High School. Kelly moved to South Whitley over 10 …read more.

Emma Chamberlain, Columbia City, passed away at 11:07 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Etta I. Lopshire, 92, formerly of Churubusco, and widow of Warren R. Lopshire, passed away at 4 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville. She had been taken there from Northridge Village Assisted Living in Albion where she had resided for the past year. Mrs. Lopshire was born on Jan. 14, …read more.

William H. “Skeet” Fletcher, 87, Churubusco, passed away at 9:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Fletcher was born in Jackson, Ky. on March 27, 1928, a son of Doc and Maude (Stamper) Fletcher. He moved to the Collins-area as a youth with his parents, and served with …read more.

Margaret Adena Fairchild, 75, Columbia City, passed away at 3:58 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne. Mrs. Fairchild was born on Dec. 25, 1939, in Fort Wayne, a daughter of Clarence and Mildred (Parker) Hyser. She spent her formative years in Roanoke, and attended Roanoke High School. …read more.

Rosalind J. “Rosie” Klingaman, 65, of Etna Troy Township, Whitley County, died at 2:17 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born March 13, 1950 in Fort Wayne, Indiana a daughter of Tony L. and E. Louise (Hively) Gaff. Her formative years were spent in Jefferson Township, Whitley …read more.

Lois Jean Bridegam, 84, of Columbia City, passed away at 8:56 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 at her home. Born Nov. 21, 1930 in Thorncreek Township, she was the daughter of Timothy Monroe and Bessie Bell (King) Bair. She has lived her entire life in Whitley County area, graduating from Columbia City High School with …read more.

  Junior Graves, 85, of South Whitley, Indiana, died at 7:13 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Junior’s family includes his wife, Geraldine Graves; daughters, Brenda (Jerry) Shilling of Syracuse, Becky (Junior) Martin of Claypool and Kimberly (Scott) Brown of Pierceton; grandchildren, Andrea Greer of North Manchester, Jodi …read more.

Marsha K. Elward, 62, Churubusco, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, at Franciscan St. Francis Health in Indianapolis. Born on Nov. 8, 1952, to Robert and Florence Wafer in Fort Wayne, Marsha graduated from South Side High School in 1971. She married her high school sweetheart Robert Elward on May 25, 1973, and they had three …read more.

Arthur Van ‘Art’ Phagan, 66, died at 3:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 2015, at his Columbia City home. He was born on April 17, 1949, in Chicago, Ill., to Arthur and Caroline (Cowen) Phagan, Columbia City, and was the Inspector for Cook County (Illinois) Health Department. He loved music, especially contemporary Christian and slow jazz. …read more.

Michael Eugene Whitesell, 13 months old, of Columbia City, passed away at 7:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2015. Born Sept. 30, 2014 in Columbia City, he was the son of Cheyenne Whitesell. Michael was a charmer with his big smile, one that could brighten anyone’s day. He liked to watch Mickey Mouse and Barney in addition to playing …read more.

Elizabeth L. “Betty” Zumbrun, 86, of Columbia City, passed away peacefully at 5:24 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 at Kingston at DuPont, Fort Wayne. Betty was born on Nov. 15, 1928, in Kokomo, Howard County, the daughter of Gilbert Bryan and Florence (Summers) Harvey. Betty lived in several locations as a child, including Bloomfield, MI …read more.

Nancy Sue Traxler, 78, a resident of Fort Wayne and formerly of LaOtto, passed away at 3:39 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne with her family by her side. Nancy was born on Nov. 13, 1936 in Swan Township in Noble County, a daughter of William D. and …read more.

Jack W. Leininger, 68, a lifelong Union Township, Whitley County resident, died at 11:35 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He was born Dec. 8, 1946, in Whitley County. He graduated from Columbia City Joint High School. On July 7, 1966 he enlisted in the United States Army, stationed …read more.

Steven E. Shoemaker, 64, of rural Columbia City, died Friday evening, October 23, 2015 at Glenbrook Rehab and Nursing Center, Fort Wayne. He was born July 10, 1951, in Columbia City, a son of Edgar and Nadine (Heller) Shoemaker. His formative years were spent in Etna Troy Township, Whitley County. He graduated from Columbia City …read more.

John R. Ross, 57, of rural South Whitley, died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, at his home. He was born Jan. 16, 1958, in Columbia City, the son of Donald R. and Bonnie L. (Warner) Ross. His formative years were spent in the Sidney area. He graduated from Whitko High School with the class of 1976. …read more.

Patricia J. Johnson, 56, Columbia City, died at 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015 at the Hospice Home, Fort Wayne. She was born Aug. 6, 1959, in Elgin, Ill., a daughter of Loren E. and Virginia M. (Merritt) Switzer. Her formative years were spent in Elgin. She graduated from Elgin High School. In 1982 she …read more.

Lois Irene Martin, 72, of Columbia City, passed away at 6:55 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at her home. Born May 13, 1943 in Kankakee, Ill., she was the daughter of Elmer and Bernice (Howard) Parrish. Growing up in Braidwood, Ill., she graduated from Reed Custer High School with the Class of 1961. That winter …read more.

Gene E. Herron, Jr., 63, Fort Wayne, passed away at 1:47 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at VA Hospital in Marion Mr. Herron was born on Feb. 18, 1952, in Columbia City, a son of Gene E. Herron and Shirley (Shively) Herron. He spent his formative years in Churubusco and graduated from Churubusco High School …read more.

Lois Irene Martin, Columbia City, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, at her home. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Alvin J. Snyder, 79, South Bend, passed away at 8:15 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, at his home. Mr. Snyder was born on Sept. 21, 1936, in South Bend to the late John Delbert and Maude Pearl (Morrow) Snyder. He has been a lifelong area resident. On May 24, 1958, in Lakeville, he was united …read more.

Rosemary E. Riemen, 76, of Big Lake, died at 1:29 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne after suffering a severe stroke Friday evening. She was born Sept. 17, 1939 in Fort Wayne, a daughter of John S. and Moness (Tagtmeyer) Hooper. Her formative years were spent in Fort Wayne. …read more.

Wilford E. Coy, 81, of South Whitley, passed away at 12:55 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 at his home.  Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Lester B. Worrick, 92, Columbia City, died at 8:02 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at Sycamore Village, Fort Wayne. He was born Oct. 31, 1922, in Whitley County, a son of the late Wilbert and Carrie (Rhoades) Worrick. His formative years were spent in Union Township, Whitley County where he graduated from Union Township High …read more.

Barbara E. Evans, 68, of Columbia City, passed away at 5:17 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 at her home. She is survived by her husband of 31 years: Bob Evans; mother: Ruth Sitton, Arcola; daughters: Jennifer Coy; Juliana (Steven) Johnson, both of Columbia City; sons: Scott (April) Frazier; William Lanier; and Robert (Shannon) Evans Jr., …read more.

Lois Mae Roby Nix, 89, a lifetime resident of Whitley County, died at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at Renaissance Village where she had been a resident since October 2013. She was born April 9, 1926, in Columbia City, a daughter of Willie and Hazel (Leaman) Roby. She graduated from Columbia City High School …read more.

Phillip L. Lee, 66, of rural South Whitley, died at 10:05 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at his home. He had been in failing health. He was born Nov. 5, 1948, in Warsaw, a son of Dallas O. and Lois V. (Brown) Lee. His formative years were spent in Monroe Township, Kosciusko County. He graduated …read more.

Estel L. Murphy, 81, a resident of rural Churubusco, passed away at 4:10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at the VA Northern Indiana Healthcare System in Fort Wayne. He had been in failing health for some time and had been a patient there for one day. Mr. Murphy was born on Dec. 13, 1933, in …read more.

Dawn E. Grunawalt, 56, Columbia City, passed away at 9:15 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Miller’s at Oak Pointe. Born May 13, 1959 in Kendallville, she was the daughter of Fred W. and Geraldine (Chapman) Palmer. On May 24, 2003, Dawn married Darwin Grunawalt in Columbia City. She was a talented artist, a great …read more.

Samuel Burton Meredith Sr., 68, Columbia City, passed away at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, at his home in Columbia City. Mr. Meredith was born on March 20, 1947, in Fort Wayne. He spent his formative years in Fort Wayne, and graduated from Central High School. On April 21, 2006 he was married in …read more.

Dawn E Grunawalt, age 56, of Columbia City, passed away at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Miller’s at Oak Pointe, Columbia City. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Agnes Jane Plummer, age 101, of Columbia City, passed away at 5 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015 at her daughter’s residence.  Born on Oct. 9, 1913 in Warsaw, she was the daughter of James and Norah  (Syphers) Duncan. She lived in Warsaw all of her life, until moving to Columbia City to reside with her …read more.

Elizabeth “Bette” Simpson, 79, of the Churubusco area, passed away surrounded by her family Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Born on May 2, 1936 in Newton, Iowa, she was a daughter of Elgia and Lena (Combs) Meade. She was one of nine children. Growing up in central Iowa, …read more.

Barbara E. Evans, 68, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away at 5:17 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 at her home. Born Dec. 27, 1946 in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of Max L. and Ruth G. (Bieber) Sitton. Barb had been a resident in Coesse since 1976. She graduated from Arcola High School with …read more.

Chester L. “Chet” Simon, 78, of Columbia City, died at 10:38 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, at Lutheran Medical Center, Fort Wayne. He was born Feb. 28, 1937, in Whitley County, a son of J. Howard and Dorothy A. (Hile) Simon. A lifelong resident of Whitley County, he graduated from Columbia City High School. From 1956 …read more.

Helen M. Eby, 86, of Columbia City, died at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015. She had been in declining health. She was born April 2, 1929, in Tipton, a daughter of the late Benjamin H. and Esther M. (Martin) Lamb. Her formative years were spent in Mexico. She graduated from Mexico High School. On …read more.

To most people that knew Shannon Harrison, it was apparent that his family came first. Shannon thought the world of his wife, Kathy; daughters, Kassee and Shari; and grandchildren, Addison and Brayden. He not only had a giving heart with his family, but to anyone who needed help. He was the type of guy who …read more.

Hilda “June” Targgart, 90, formerly of rural Wolf Lake, went to her Heavenly Home at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. She had been at Miller’s Oak Pointe, Columbia City, for the past six weeks. She was born June 30, 1925, in Noble County, a daughter of the late Murry and Eva (Strouse) Shively. Her …read more.

Shannon J. Harrison, 45, Columbia City, passed away at 7:25 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City. To most people that knew Shannon Harrison, it was apparent that his family came first. Shannon thought the world of his wife, Kathy; daughters, Kassee and Shari; and grandchildren, Addison and Brayden. He not only …read more.

Michael Andrew Beaver, 65, of rural Columbia City, died at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, at his home. He had been in failing health. He was born Oct. 5, 1949, in Kokomo, a son of Lawrence E. and Alice Josephine (Ulerich) Beaver. His formative years were spent in Kokomo where he graduated from Kokomo …read more.

Michael Andrew Beaver, 65, of rural Columbia City, died at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, at his home. Arrangements are pending at Smith and Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.

Edwin L. Gordon, 80, Huntertown, passed away at 11:55 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Mr. Gordon was born on June 11, 1935, in Allen County, a son of Herbert and Wanda (Strite) Gordon. He spent his formative years in Churubusco, and graduated from Churubusco High School in …read more.

Bonnie Lou Tonkel, 72, Columbia City, passed away at 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at Presence Sacred Heart Home in Avilla. Born Dec. 16, 1942, in Whitley County, she was the daughter of Betty (Cullers) Baker. Bonnie attended Whitley County Schools and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1960. …read more.

Arlene Briggs-Rex, 84, of Columbia City, passed away at 10:35 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, at her home. She was surrounded by her loving family. Born on May 28, 1931, in Wolf Lake, she was the daughter of Benton and Lavinia (Scripter) Fruchey. Arlene was born and raised in Northeast Indiana, graduating from Wolf Lake …read more.

Phyllis A. Bodine, 86, of Columbia City, passed away at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at Renaissance Village in Fort Wayne. Born July 27, 1929 in Toledo, Ohio she was the daughter of Charles M. Wiseman, Sr. and Ruby L. (Knotts) Wiseman. She has been a Whitley County resident since 2009, moving from Lake …read more.

Charles Richard Shinn “Chuck”, 72, of Columbia City, passed away at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Born on Aug. 22, 1943, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Paul and Catherine (King) Shinn. Growing up in Northeast Indiana, Chuck graduated from Elmhurst High School with the class of …read more.

Marna J. (Sage) Widmer, 63, Leo, passed away at 7:25 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Marna was born on Nov. 1, 1951, in Fort Wayne, a daughter of Russell and Fern (Rhodes) Sage. She spent her formative years in Huntertown, and graduated from Carroll High School in 1970. …read more.

Janice Allen Mayhew Hammer, 92, of Columbia City, went to her heavenly home Wednesday morning, Sept. 16, 2015, at Jefferson Place Health in Louisville, Ky. She was born Sept. 21, 1922, to Horace and Clementine White Mayhew in Roanoke, Va. She attended school in Roanoke and left for college at age 16 to attend Converse …read more.

Nancy A. Sherman, 66, a resident of Merriam, passed away at 5:40 a.m. on Monday, September 14, 2015, at Miller’s at Oak Pointe in Columbia City following an extended illness. She had been in declining health for some time and had been a patient there for the past two weeks. Nancy was born in Fort …read more.

Barbara Jane “Janie” Weber, 83, of South Whitley, died at 3:35 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, at Grace Village Health Care, Winona Lake, where she was admitted in March. She was born Aug. 13, 1932, in Fort Wayne, a daughter of John Marion and Barbara Philamina “Minnie” (Meier) Weber. At the age of five, her …read more.

Rebekah Sue “Bekki” Smith, 58, died 11:07 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born on Jan. 30, 1957, in Fort Wayne, a daughter of Charles and Beverly (Koontz) Bolinger. Her formative years were spent in Columbia City where she graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with …read more.

Jeff Melvin, 53, Columbia City, passed away at 8:29 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, at Parkview Regional Medical Center. He was born Dec. 19, 1969, in Plymouth, to Jimmie F. Sr. and Martha “Marty” Melvin. Survivors include his mother: Martha J. Melvin; his best friend: “Nubby”; two sisters: Robin (Dennis) McClain, Lehigh Acres, Fla.; and Debra …read more.

Rebecca A. Phillips, 73, of Columbia City, passed away at 9:56 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Born Aug. 14, 1942, in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Cyrus C. and Evelyn M. (Kelly) Cable. Becky graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of …read more.

Rebeca A. Phillips, age 73, of Columbia City, passed away at 9:56 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Ann M. Stoll, 67, a resident of rural Albion and wife of James R. Stoll, passed away at 8:16 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at the Presence Sacred Heart Home in Avilla. She had been in failing health for several months, and had been a patient there for the past two weeks. Mrs. Stoll was …read more.

Barbara A. Stansell, 70, formerly of Columbia City, died Saturday morning, Sept. 5, 2015, at her home in rural Cromwell where she had been living with her daughter since June. She was born Aug. 17, 2015, a daughter of Charles Devon and Lois Helen (Edie) Cochran. As an infant, her family moved to New Castle, …read more.

Ruth Crippes, 80, of Plymouth, Mich., passed away at 4:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015 at Independence Village Assisted Living, Plymouth, Mich. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Carol Scott, 65, of Los Osos, Calif., passed away at 2:20 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Carol was born on Nov. 30, 1949, in Ojai, Ca, a daughter of John and Beverly (Bauer) Scott. The surviving relatives include a son: Matthew Allie, Cayucos, Calif.; a daughter: Gwyn …read more.

Brian Hunter Strouse, 55, died at 4:07 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, at Glenbrook Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center, Fort Wayne. Born May 20, 1960, in Columbia City, son of the late Edgar “Bud” Strouse, Jr. and Mary Louise (Amans) Strouse. He graduated from Columbia City Joint High School, 1979. Bachelor’s degree from Duke University …read more.

All who knew Vicki Kessie would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was gracious, genuine, and compassionate – the sort of person who was willing to do whatever she could for others. Although Vicki had a great sense of humor, she also didn’t shy away from calling things as …read more.

Christina Kaye Keyes, 46,  Churubusco, passed away at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug.  23, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne surrounded by her family. Mrs. Keyes was born on Feb.  2, 1969, in Winamac, a daughter of Mickey and Connie (Lowery) Baker. She spent her formative years in Rochester, and graduated from Rochester …read more.

Victoria J. Kessie, 63, Columbia City, passed away Sunday, Aug, 23, 2015, at her home. Arrangements are pending at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Brooks O. Heffley, 54, Churubusco, passed away Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, at his home. He had been in failing health for three years, but had been more seriously ill for the past year. Heffley was born Sept. 1, 1960, in Fort Wayne, a son of Harold D. and Helen J. (Timmerman) Heffley, and was a lifelong …read more.

Margaret Kathleen Nelson, 93, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, at Parkview Whitley Hospital a few days after suffering a major stoke. She was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on Dec. 5, 1921, a daughter of George and Agnes Atkinson. During World War II, Margaret served as a tailor and seamstress making uniforms for the British …read more.

Maria Evilsizor, 76, of Columbia City, died at 4:55 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. She was born Aug. 20, 1938, in Setcdorf, Czechoslovakia, a daughter of Alfred and Anna (Feike) Ehrlich. In 1946 her family moved to Germany where she graduated from Germany. In November 1975 she moved …read more.

Donald E. Klopfenstein, 94, of Columbia City, died Friday, Aug. 14, 2015, at Manorcare Health Services in Rolling Meadows, Ill. He was born Aug.  16, 1920, in Fort Wayne, a son of Lester and Elizabeth (Schneider) Klopfenstein. As a young boy, his family moved to rural Columbia City from Garrett. He completed his education at Columbia City …read more.

Adam Wade Porter, 29, of South Whitley, died at 8:44 p.m. Friday, Aug.  14, 2015, a victim of a shooting. He was born Oct. 19, 1985, in Columbia City, a son of Danny G. Porter and Tonya E. (Dundas) Warner. He spent his entire life in South Whitley graduating from Whitko High School with the Class of …read more.

Ruth A. Schaper, 73, of Columbia City, passed away on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015. Born Aug. 31, 1941, she was the daughter of the late William and Elizabeth (Schone) Edsall. Ruth had worked at Roethele Lumber in the office and at Hinen Printing. She loved to garden and play card games of all sorts. She …read more.

Sandra Sue Harper, 72, South Whitley, died at 2:40 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, in her residence. She was born Jan. 27, 1942, in Fort Wayne, to Richard and Dorothy (Brecht) Freeman. On April 15, 1961, she married Charles Douglas Harper.  She retired in 2012 from North Webster Medical Clinic after 15 years of service.  …read more.

Joanne B. Johnston, 83, a resident of Churubusco, passed away at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, at her home following a brief illness. Joanne was born in Fort Wayne on Jan. 6, 1932, a daughter of Luther K. and Opal G. (Cripe) Johnston. She graduated from Churubusco High School in 1950 and was a …read more.

Barbara J. Shirey, 84, of rural South Whitley, died Friday, Aug. 7, 2015 at her home. She was born Nov. 17, 1930, in Beaver County, Penn., a daughter of Robert A. and Buelah (Sproat) Diebold. As a young girl, her family moved to Roanoke, and later Fort Wayne before moving to Coesse. Barbara graduated from …read more.

Robert H. Auer, 91, a lifelong Whitley County resident, died at 8:53 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at Renaissance Village where he had been a resident since May. He was born March 2, 1924, in Whitley County a son of Carl J. and Ethel M. (Eberhard) Auer. He graduated from Coesse High School in 1942, …read more.

Bonnie Joe Blaire, age 72, of Fort Wayne, passed away at 10:57 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, at Golden Years Homestead, Fort Wayne. Born on Nov. 20, 1942, in Wolf Lake, she was the daughter of Charles F. and Ruth J. (Wineland) Stump. Bonnie attended Columbia City Joint High School and graduated with the Class …read more.